This is in response to your inquiry of November 22, on behalf of Ms. Gladys Vaughn,
concerning regulations addressing "cross-view" back-up mirrors on delivery trucks. Ms. Vaughn
lost a five year old nephew when he was struck by a local delivery truck that was backing up.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has no specific regulations
requiring the installation of "cross-view" mirrors on delivery vehicles. OSHA's general industry
standards (29 CFR Part 1910) contain the regulations applicable to employee safety and health in
the package delivery industry. At present, OSHA has no specific standards that address motor
vehicle safety in general industry workplaces, including the installation of safety devices on
motor vehicles. Additionally, OSHA is limited by the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655) to regulating workplace safety rather than public safety.

Perhaps the U. S. Department of Transportation or state or local motor vehicle administrations
may require the installation of the type of mirror that Ms. Vaughn describes. These mirrors, also
referred to as "pot-bottom" mirrors, may be addressed in guidelines or regulations issued by
these agencies. At present, OSHA's jurisdiction over motor vehicles is limited to vehicles
operated in the workplace and not over public roads.

Please note that the U. S. Postal Service has installed "pot-bottom" mirrors on many of its
delivery vehicles for many years after an employee recommended their use through their
employee suggestion program. Further, many local school boards install "pot-bottom" mirrors on
the front and rear of school buses for driver observation of students boarding or leaving the bus.

I am writing to you on behalf of one of my constituents, Ms. Gladys Vaughn. Enclosed is a letter
I received from her regarding delivery trucks being required to have a safety device called a
crossview back-up mirror. This mirror is designed so that drivers of delivery trucks can see
behind them while backing up. Ms. Vaughn lost her nephew in an accident involving a UPS
truck which did not have one of these devices.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me of any regulations or laws that require delivery
vehicles to have a safety device of this kind. Any information that you have can be sent to me at
my Kingston office at the address listed above.

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